Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1042—Components or details
  • B05B11/1043—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container
  • B05B11/1046—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container
  • B05B11/1047—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container the pump being preassembled as an independent unit before being mounted on the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0037—Containers
  • B05B11/0038—Inner container disposed in an outer shell or outer casing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0037—Containers
  • B05B11/0054—Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
  • B05B11/028—Pistons separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0027—Means for neutralising the actuation of the sprayer ; Means for preventing access to the sprayer actuation means
  • B05B11/0032—Manually actuated means located downstream the discharge nozzle for closing or covering it, e.g. shutters
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
  • B05B11/026—Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1042—Components or details
  • B05B11/1059—Means for locking a pump or its actuation means in a fixed position

Definitions

• FLUID PRODUCT INCLUDING A REUSABLE BOTTLE
• the present invention relates to the technical field of packaging, and more particularly to that of packaging and distribution of a liquid or viscous product intended to be stored in a sealed manner and to be distributed in the form of unit doses to using a dispenser assembly.
• the invention more particularly relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a fluid product, including a reusable protective assembly for covering an internal unit including a container intended to contain the product.
• This generally fluid product packaging and dispensing device typically includes a metering assembly adapted to dispense a dose of the product.
• the dose delivered must be constant and precise.
• the dosing assembly typically includes a metering pump without air intake (conventionally designated by the English expression "airless").
• the internal part is a reservoir part which includes the container, the associated piston and a container connection interface to connect the dispensing part of the head to the tank of the lower internal part (after filling), which requires sealing and maintaining the assembly by an upper external peripheral part belonging to the dosing set.
• the inlet of the metering pump extends to a tubular end of the reservoir opposite the bottom of the reservoir portion.
• connection interface makes it possible to prevent access to the container-head connection area, to prevent any entry of air.
• this type of limit configuration prevents the reuse of certain parts of the device, in particular if it is desired to be able to change the tank part (for which the content has typically been used up) and replace it with a new internal unit, filled with a new one. content that can be dispensed in dosage form.
• the dosing pump must not be separated from the container.
• the container filled in content must preferably be cylindrical of revolution to guarantee good sealing of the contact between the piston and the internal face of the container (dynamic sealing, that is to say without technical seal). This allows in particular to avoid:
• neck containers proves to be unsuitable for mass production, in particular when the liquid product is viscous (the product can for example correspond to a wide range ranging from 1000 centipoise (cps) to 40 000 cps ). Indeed, it has been observed that the narrowness of the opening due to the presence of a neck has the effect of slowing down the filling rate. In addition, it is necessary, with a container with a neck, to provide a format for the covering body which closely depends on the container used, except to lose a great deal of internal space without any utility.
• the object of the invention is to remedy one or more of the drawbacks of the state of the art devices and to propose a packaging and distribution device which is very suitable for the various requirements of the practice (in particular the sealing requirement) and compatible with very different dressing options while allowing a disassembly which does not affect the integrity of the distribution circuit.
• a device for packaging and dispensing a fluid product comprising: a body which is hollow and provided with a bottom or a bottom edge at a bottom end of the body; a tank part which comprises a container delimiting an internal volume of the tank and extending entirely in an internal volume defined by the body, the container having a longitudinal axis and an opening (called filling opening) on the side of an upper end axial tubular; a head which comprises a plugging element (closing the opening) and a metering assembly of the type without air inlet, the metering assembly comprising a metering pump and a movable actuation portion to allow the distribution of the fluid product , the plugging element forming a support for the metering assembly; and an upper connector on which the body is fixed in a locked configuration of the upper connector, the upper connector having a radial part which extends, around a passage duct for the metering pump, radially outwards until a tubular external part
• the device has an external side wall extending around the longitudinal axis from the lower end of the body to an annular upper edge of the tubular external part,
• the packaging and distribution device comprises a retaining ring, preferably made in one piece, which is:
• the head, the reservoir part and the ring constitute a pre-assembled internal unit of the device, the retaining ring being covered by the external side wall in an assembled state of the device;
• the body preferably made in one piece, includes second fixing means which, in said assembled state and for the locking configuration, are axially engaged with the first fixing means, the first fixing means and the second fixing means forming a removable connection between the upper connector and the body, the upper connector being secured to the second fixing means by a locking action which is effected by a pivoting, about the longitudinal axis, of one relative to the other between the connector upper body.
• This type of device advantageously makes it possible to have an efficient internal unit, which can be changed, by reusing several protective parts constituted by the external body and the upper connector, as well as a cap if necessary coming to be mounted on the connector. upper, for example above the outer side wall.
• the internal unit can be changed without necessarily throwing away reusable protective elements, thanks to a configuration which preserves the integrity of the distribution circuit (integrity of the "airless" system).
• the body protects the container and the upper connector protects the sealing ring.
• a functional part of the device is defined which is entirely internal (internal unit), formed by the head of which the metering assembly and the reservoir part form part.
• This functional part which meets the high sealing requirements, in particular in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical field before and even after the first use, can be designed separately.
• the functional part can thus be produced in a very large number of copies (of the order of several millions for example), while being integrable in a personalized device (in its format and in the choice of the material of the body) thanks to the adaptation of the upper connector and of the body, and possibly by dimensioning / adapting the retaining ring.
• the movable wall of the container is thus very well protected. It ensures a watertight separation and maintains the same pressure between the fluid in the tank and the air in the peripheral volume between the container and the body.
• the internal unit can be perfectly immobilized in an internal housing delimited by the body and the upper connector, in particular by being unable to move axially.
• the sliding of the tank part can be blocked in the usual way by a retainer (contact of the tank part against the bottom of the body or axial contact of the ring of the internal unit against the top of the container).
• a sandwiching effect for example between the wall / radial part of the connector and the upper body may be preferred.
• the withdrawal of the internal unit can also involve a rotation, for example when it suffices to unscrew to extract the internal unit from the body.
• the internal unit is axially mobile and can be easily removed from the hollow body, without any tool or delicate unclipping operation. However, it takes longer to disengage the internal unit, so free insertion of the reservoir part into the body is preferred.
• the retaining ring can extend radially away from the external side wall and / or is able to slide along this external side wall having an external side face devoid of protruding relief for contact against the external side wall.
• the ring is free to rotate around the longitudinal axis of the container, so that during an insertion of the tank part into the body and in a fully inserted state of the tank part (for which the ring is in axial abutment against a stop surface of the body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis), the internal unit is free to rotate.
• This type of arrangement allows easy mounting, without the need to verify any accuracy in the angular positioning of the internal unit.
• the ring has a means of indexing in rotation relative to the body, so that the internal unit is locked in rotation in a fully inserted state of the reservoir part (state for which the ring is in support axial against a body abutment surface which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis).
• the ring can preferably be freely sliding, in the fully inserted state of the internal unit.
• the indexing means in rotation can cooperate with a guide relief provided on the body, so as to form a polarizing means (possibly with a visible marking at the time of assembly between the internal unit and the bottle forming the body). This can avoid losing the correlation between the external body and / or the connector, and the content or type of internal drive to use. It can also facilitate the detection, if necessary, of a counterfeit.
• the container is preferably not narrowed at its upper end and the opening can typically define a diameter of at least 15 or 16 mm, preferably greater than 20 mm.
• a diameter of the filling opening can correspond to at least 75 or 80% of a container diameter defined around a piston at the lower end of the container.
• the dimension of the opening diameter may be greater, within the limit of the diameter of the container (therefore correspond if necessary to 100% of the section of the container).
• the first fixing means and the second fixing means form a bayonet type connection system. This arrangement makes the attachment both robust and easy to unlock.
• the second fixing means are formed on an internal face of the upper connector, preferably on the internal face of the tubular external part, in an annular zone which is situated lower than (entirely below) the retaining ring in the configuration. connector locked.
• the upper connector has at least two internal pins, which intervene to make the bayonet-type connection.
• the upper connector may also have axial slots, in the same outer skirt of generally tubular shape, belonging to said upper connector.
• the axial slots make it possible to obtain an axial clearance in the skirt, which facilitates assembly and disassembly operations.
• such slots can be hidden by an annular piece, for example a piece forming a hoop, which surrounds the outer skirt.
• the connector may have a main part forming the outer skirt and the radial support / support portion from above against the internal unit, and an auxiliary part without contact with the internal unit and constituting the upper part of the external side wall of the device.
• the hoop-forming part typically constitutes such an auxiliary part of the upper connector.
• the upper connector can have, in the outer skirt:
• each of the slots is preferably designed to separate a flexible portion of the skirt from an adjacent portion of the skirt which is more rigid than said flexible portion.
• the hoop-forming part forms part of the connector and can, in the resting state of the flexible portions, extend radially outwardly relative to each of the flexible portions, the hoop-forming part having an inner collar or similar section reducing the upper opening of the part, adapted to engage with at least one relief included in the main part of the upper connector by forming a means for blocking a relative rotation between the main part and the auxiliary part of the connector.
• the upper connector When the upper connector has a hoop-forming part, it laterally envelops the outer skirt of the upper connector, forming a continuous periphery constituting a portion of the side wall of the device.
• the hoop part may be metallic, provided with a metallic or glass outer coating.
• the radial part of the upper connector can be a transition part between:
• At least one anti-rotation relief is provided externally on the upper connector, preferably on the radial part thereof, in order to prevent relative rotation around the longitudinal axis between the hoop-forming part and the upper connector.
• the upper connector includes a hoop-forming part which may have a circular opening of diameter equal to the external diameter of an upper sleeve or intermediate between the external diameter of an upper sleeve of the upper connector and the diameter of the external part. tubular.
• the hoop part covers at least 90% of the radial portion (this percentage corresponding to a surface ratio between the upper surface of the radial portion and the upper surface of the hoop part.
• the upper connector has an outer skirt comprising at least one portion with radial deflection towards the outside, which is preferably thinned with respect to the rest of the upper connector, all or part of the first fastening means being located in the at least one portion with radial deflection towards the outside.
• the retaining ring is made in one piece and is in contact only axially with the body, from above; and or
• the retaining ring rests in axial support against an upper annular edge of the body, where an upper opening is defined, of generally circular section preferably, of the body.
• the upper opening of the body has a diameter which is substantially equal to an external diameter of the container. This optimizes the volume / capacity of the device, while minimizing dead volumes, the peripheral volume can be reduced to a minimum.
• the difference between the maximum internal diameter of the hollow body and the (substantially constant) external diameter of the container can be less than 20 mm, preferably less than or equal to 15 mm, for a container having an internal diameter typically greater than or equal to 25 mm. More generally, the ratio of internal diameters can easily exceed 0.6: 1, between the internal diameter of the container and the internal diameter of the hollow body.
• the retaining ring has a cylindrical external face, the external surface of which is preferably smooth.
• the grip edges / rims distributed on the external face of the container and on the head engage in a housing of the retaining ring, formed by an internal digging or between two reliefs spaced axially between them of the retaining ring , the housing being situated in an intermediate axial position, and at a distance, respectively between a lower edge of the cylindrical external face and at least one upper edge of the cylindrical external face.
• the body is made in one piece
• the body has an upper opening, the ring playing no role in closing the upper opening and does not interfere with the filling opening of the container;
• the container is of the type without neck
• the plugging element forms a support for the metering assembly
• the container has a circular section, at least on the side of the upper end, the ring defining a circular opening for the insertion of the container into a volume inside the body;
• the body defines a first covering periphery, the head removably supporting, preferably without any fixing, the upper connector which is made integral with the body in the locked configuration and which surrounds the metering assembly to define a second dressing periphery;
• the assembly formed by head and the upper connector further comprises a removable cap, preferably attaching to the upper connector in a storage configuration, the body, the upper connector and optionally the cap giving the device its external shape in the storage configuration;
• the body has a flat upper face, without relief or annular projection on this upper face;
• the body is of the carnette type and has one or two notches separating the carnette into discontinuous carnette portions;
• At least one lower support surface which has a pressure balancing orifice can be provided to define a base plane of the body; this orifice can be offset with respect to the lower support surface, so as to extend back from the base plane;
• the container is substantially cylindrical and extends around a longitudinal axis, the sealed and movable wall being defined by a piston movable in translation along the longitudinal axis;
• the container has a side wall adapted to guide a piston, the side wall having a circular section widening towards a lower end of the container and extending to an opening for mounting the piston in the container;
• the sealed and movable wall is defined by a flexible retractable portion, the upper end of the container forming a rigid connection;
• the body is a bottle type bottle, made in one piece and preferably made of glass;
• the body in one piece includes the first means of attachment to a portion of the lateral surface of a neck adjacent to a shoulder of the bottle;
• the bottle preferably made of glass, has at least one lateral cavity for receiving an internal lug included in the second fixing means (on an internal face of the upper connector), the lateral cavity being an external cavity (opening radially outward) delimited axially between a portion of the carnette and the shoulder, and extending circumferentially between a termination zone where a stop surface is formed having a radially outer edge and a narrowing access duct section; the access duct has an inlet for a lug moved tangentially around / along the annular groove located between the carnette and the shoulder.
• each of the reliefs can be designed and arranged to oppose the unlocking of the removable attachment between the upper connector and the body;
• the upper connector has internal lugs which are each of elongated shape in a circumferential direction between a front end, preferably tapered, and a rear end, and each have an intermediate recess, between the front end and the rear end, in order to receive in the locked configuration a projection formed integrally with the bottle, which is located in the lateral cavity and which makes it possible to constitute the abutment surface.
• the side wall has a cross section whose profile is substantially constant from the lower end to the annular upper edge.
• the side wall has a cross section whose profile evolves in the direction of a progressive enlargement of the cross section by moving away from the tubular external part downwards.
• the container In the case of dressing in at least two superimposed parts, the container is typically introduced into the body from above, through the opening of the ring, which can make it possible to avoid an additional operation of closing the bottom. by a cover after the container has been placed.
• the upper part of the container forms a seat for the closure element (in particular an insertion portion of this element), while the ring rests on the top of the body to delimit a latching area, in screw -to the outer periphery of the upper part of the container.
• a peripheral part of the head can then be inserted into this latching area, so that by fixing the head on the lower part to the reservoir, both the seal against the container and the maintenance of the constituent parts of the internal unit are achieved.
• a kit for packaging and distributing at least one fluid product, comprising:
• said packaging and distribution device (with a body, an internal unit and an upper connector optionally surmounted by a cap), the internal unit of this device constituting a first cartridge filled with a first product;
• the second cartridge being constituted by another internal unit identical to the internal unit of the first cartridge
• each of the internal units forms a collar or external bulge intended to extend externally relative to the container
• the body and the upper connector make it possible to protect a determined cartridge chosen indifferently from the first cartridge and the second cartridge, after insertion of the container of the cartridge determined in the body and a peripheral wrapping of the metering part of the cartridge determined by the upper connector and for a locked fixing configuration between the upper connector and the body, by using removable fixing means constituted by the first fixing means and the second fixing means (reusable and reused fixing means).
• Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a device according to the invention, which has in particular an internal part, including the reservoir and a metering assembly, assembled using a peripheral ring and a protective external part making it possible to detach the reservoir by a simple movement of rotation around a longitudinal axis of the device ;
• Figure 2 shows separately in perspective components of the internal part of a device such as that of Figure 1, showing the component parts of the reservoir and the component parts of a metering assembly, as well as the peripheral ring and with an insertable part for blocking the reservoir by cooperating against a sealing surface defined by the upper end of the container forming the reservoir;
• Figure 3 illustrates an internal unit of the kind capable of sliding partially in the external body and whose peripheral ring maintains the fixing and sealing of the internal unit;
• Figure 4 is a side view detailing the top of an external covering body adapted to protect the bottom of the internal unit and then allowing the upper connector of the device to be fixed and locked;
• Figure 5 is a sectional view along the cutting plane V-V of Figure 4, illustrating means for a removable fixing of the quarter-turn type with pre-tightening and end-of-travel locking;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view showing in detail the top of a bottle forming the body, in an embodiment of the invention identical to that of Figures 4 and 5;
• FIG. 7 shows in perspective an example of a holding part which can be used in a stationary part of the metering assembly and which contributes, on the one hand, to an axial holding of the metering pump in a housing delimited by the plugging element , and secondly to the effect of sticking the head against the tank part, thanks to an external grip rim engaged against the inside of the peripheral retaining ring;
• FIG. 8A shows in perspective an example of a part constituting or belonging to the upper connector, including a skirt in which reliefs or lugs are formed internally engaging against the complementary means;
• FIG. 8B shows in perspective an example of a holding part which can be used in a stationary part of the metering assembly and which contributes, on the one hand, to an axial holding of the metering pump in a housing delimited by the closure element , and on the other hand to the effect of sticking the head against the tank part, thanks to an external grip edge engaged against the inside of the ring;
• FIG. 7 shows in perspective an example of a part forming a hoop which can be used to cover the skirt, as in the case of FIG. 8B, by including anti-rotation forms cooperating with complementary reliefs of the part illustrated in FIG. 8A;
• Figure 10 is an axial sectional view of a device according to the invention, in a variant with a body, typically made of glass, the section of which varies, and with an upper connector whose cylindrical external face is aligned substantially with the respective neighboring sections of a cap and of the body;
• Figure 1 1 A illustrates an unlocking of the upper connector, making it possible to detach and simply remove the upper connector and then to slide out the internal unit;
• Figure 1 1 B illustrates the sliding insertion of a new internal unit to replace the internal unit of Figure 1 1 A, which allows the reuse of other parts of the device;
• Figure 12 is a sectional view of an example of relative arrangement between the container and the external body, here in the case of a tank part which uses a piston;
• Figure 13 is a detail view in axial section illustrating an example of the bottom of the device when the body is defined by a sleeve;
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view from above of a fluid distribution and conditioning device, obtained with an upper connector of the kind illustrated in FIG. 13.
• the packaging and distribution device 1 comprises a body 2, typically a bottle body, with a bottom 2a which defines a support base B, a container 4 which extends (entirely, essentially or in part) inside the body 2 and makes it possible to store the liquid or viscous product 5 to be dispensed, a closure element S, preferably made of thermoplastic material, assembled to the container 4 in a sealed manner and which is part of a dispensing head 6 or end piece.
• the body 2 can be defined by a single piece of preferably rigid material, for example glass or plastic, opaque, translucent or transparent. Alternatively, all or part of the body 2 can be made with metal.
• a coating may be provided to cover all or part of the external face f2 of the side wall 2b of the body 2.
• the decorative coating may include any surface treatment compatible with the material of the body 2, for example lacquering on glass, metallization on plastic, anodization on aluminum ... and / or any decor using processes such as hot foil stamping, screen printing, pad printing, label deposition, laser engraving, etc.
• the body 2 is mounted after having completely assembled an internal unit 25 which brings together a reservoir part R and a dispensing head 6 including a metering assembly 15.
• the container 4 delimits the reservoir of the reservoir portion R.
• the complementary portion of the reservoir portion R is the dispensing head 6 which includes the dispensing functions (with the metering assembly 15) and the plugging function of the filling opening O of the container 4 (with a part forming a sealing element S).
• a contact obtained during assembly (after filling) between the plugging element S and the container 4 of the reservoir part R makes it possible to seal between an upper end 4a of the container 4, which is tubular and in practice circular section (without this being limiting), and the metering assembly 15.
• the filling opening O in a sealed manner on the side of the upper end 4a which is typically circular, as clearly visible in the figure 2.
• the sealing element S here formed in one piece, is in continuous contact with the container 4 in an annular connection zone.
• the sealing element S is preferably designed in one piece which includes a flange 106 for support on the top of the container 4 and / or a radial face intended to bear axially against a flange 4th internal provided on an internal face of the wall 4b of the container 4. Such a part is designed separately from the body 7c of the pump 7.
• the head 6 can be mounted in a state preassembled, with the plugging element S which defines the bottom of this head 6, opposite an actuating part 10 of the metering assembly 15. As clearly visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 10, the sealing element S is only partially inserted into the internal volume V of the container 4.
• the circular shape is also particularly well suited to allow the container 4 to be extended axially by a head whose metering assembly 15 includes a metering pump 7.
• the central axis X around from which the container 4 extends longitudinally, may coincide with an axis A of the metering pump 7, in particular when the latter includes an axially movable element such as a piston.
• the head 6 is broken down here into a metering assembly 15 (including in particular the metering pump 7 and the actuating portion 10) arranged in the extension of the container 2, and a separate closure element S which typically fits partly into the container 4.
• the endpiece or head 6 can be covered, partially or totally, by a cap 16.
• a narrower female part 16a here cylindrical, can be fitted inside the cap 16, in order to allow this cap 16 to be attached to the head 6 by a plastic-plastic radial contact between an internal face of the female part 16a (here provided with lugs or a bead 16b) and an upper connector 17 covering the top of the internal unit 25.
• An upper sleeve 18 of the upper connector 17 has for example an annular groove 18r on which engages the corresponding projecting relief of the cap 16.
• the female part 16a can be more flexible or more deformable. e resiliently than the rest of the cap, this female part 16 being connected for example by welding W to the wall 16c of the external cap body.
• a metering pump 7 which has an inlet 7a is mounted in the head 6 forming the metering tip.
• the plugging element S forms a support part for the metering pump 7, here from below.
• this closure element S supports the metering pump 7 (and not the reverse), for example by maintaining it at a determined level on the side of the upper end 4a of the container 4.
• the inlet 7a of the pump 7 is defined at a first end of a distribution channel (not shown).
• the pump 7 is of the “airless” type, that is to say without air intake, with a rod 1 1 a or equivalent mobile part actuated during the insertion of an activator, generally disposed in the upper part of the device 1, thus allowing the fluid forming the product 5 to exit by a nozzle or similar diffusion member 14, or even to exit by an application member (in the case of an applicator tip).
• the metering pump 7 comprises a pump body 7c, here cylindrical and provided with an external collar 21.
• the insertion portion 12 (which forms part of the body 7c) extends under the collar 21 to be housed in a duct L (also cylindrical) of the plugging element S.
• a holding part 26 is provided to extend annularly around the pump body 7c and to form an external lateral face of the stationary part of the metering assembly 15.
• the retaining part 26 extends longitudinally around the duct L from a lower part 26b provided with a skirt J to an upper end part 26d.
• the upper end portion 26d, tubular, can be engaged with the external collar 21 formed on the metering pump 7, in the assembled state of the metering assembly 15.
• the external collar 21 can rest on the face upper retaining relief (s) 261 (Fig. 7) which allow the pump to be held in place 7.
• An optional annular part 22 can also be mounted on top of the collar 21, in order to close the upper opening 026 of the part holding 26, while also engaging against a rim or external reliefs of the pump body 7c, just above the external collar 21.
• the annular part 22 also typically prevents access to a spring of the pump 7, by laterally covering this spring R7 under the actuating portion 10.
• the retaining piece 26 can be defined by a section transition piece between the lower part 26b, wider than the upper end 4a of the container 4, and the upper end part 26d, narrower than the upper end 4a and provided with an internal face 260 from which retaining reliefs 261, 262 project radially inwardly to engage axially on either side of the collar 21.
• Figure 2 shows the group, here formed of two assembly parts 1 1 and 26 (here without counting the optional cap 16 illustrated in Figure 1), for wrapping the metering pump 7.
• the push member 1 1 is formed of a rigid part and slides while being guided in the pump body 7c.
• the tubular wall 11 b of the pusher member 11 may also optionally be angularly guided by an internal guiding surface 18c (FIG. 1), here cylindrical, defined by the upper connector 17 which is mounted on the metering assembly 15
• the upper connector 17, formed in one piece or in two pieces with a peripheral reinforcement piece, typically in the form of a hoop, has a central opening 18a for the passage of the actuating part 10. This upper connector 17 will be described in more detail below.
• a constriction E which defines an outlet of the duct L of the plugging part S (on the side of the volume V) can form an annular bearing surface for a shoulder 12a of the insertion portion 12 which is formed near the inlet 7a.
• An annular lip, typically conical, completes this constriction E to seal with the bottom of the pump 7.
• the operation of the metering pump 7 is of a type known per se, by example with a piston integral with the rod 1 1 a (configured to increase the pressure in a metering chamber), slidably mounted in a longitudinal distribution channel.
• a non-return valve provided on the side of the inlet 7a defines a hermetic separation between the interior volume V of the reservoir and the distribution channel of the pump 7.
• the rod 1 1 a When the pusher member 1 1 is pressed, here in response to a vertical manual pressure exerted on the actuating part 10, the rod 1 1 a is lowered at the same time as an internal actuating element (for example a piston ) which operates the distribution.
• an internal actuating element for example a piston
• a cap 16 of the type shown in FIG. 1 is obviously removed so that the upper surface of the actuating part 10 (here formed by a push member 1 1 having a tubular wall 1 1 b which surrounds the spring R7) is exposed for actuation.
• the metering assembly 15 makes it possible to deliver a specific dose of the product 5, this dose being ejected by creating a vacuum inside the container 4.
• a watertight and movable wall P4 is provided here, typically provided at the bottom of the container 4, which moves upward to compensate for the depression so as to bring the device back to ambient atmospheric pressure before the next activation.
• the section of this wall P4 is complementary to the tube defined by the container 4, and in particular circular in the example shown.
• the actuating part 10 is typically in the form of a pusher member 1 1, movable along a longitudinal axis which can be parallel to the longitudinal axis X (here a central axis) of the container 4.
• the pusher member 1 1 has a substantially tubular wall 1 1 b and is connected from above to the upper end of the rod 1 1 a.
• the plugging element S is integral with an insertion portion 12 which belongs to the metering pump 7. It is understood that the end 7a is part of the insertion portion 12 and can, according to an option, extend projecting from the plugging element S, in a direction opposite to the actuating part 10 (in practice: projecting downwards when the packaging and distribution device 1 is in a vertical position with the bottom 2a which defines a support base B).
• the diffusion member 14 for example in the form of a nozzle, is in fluid communication with the outlet 7b to deliver and orient a dose of product.
• a dose delivered in a radial direction outwards other configurations are possible: for example with a product outlet oriented substantially axially or in a direction (typically not vertical) forming any angle with the direction of elongation of the device 1.
• This diffusion member 14 extends transversely in position adjacent to the actuating part 10 and follows the movement of the push member 1 1.
• a locking in a high position of the push member 1 1 can optionally be provided, by example with a stop contact when this pusher member 1 1 is turned to deviate from a predefined orientation of the diffusion member 14.
• a slot separating two abutment zones can thus allow the movement of the pusher member 1 1 according to the predefined orientation.
• the container 4 comprises at least one sealed and movable wall P4, which allows the volume V of the reservoir defined by the container 4 to decrease as the product is consumed 5.
• the container 4 can have a stationary tubular wall 4b, preferably rigid, against which the sealed and movable wall P4 is mounted.
• the container 4 forms the lower part of the internal unit 25, covered and protected by the body 2 which forms an external part visible in the device 1 for packaging and distribution.
• the container 4 When the body 2 is transparent, the container 4 can be seen.
• the container 4 can typically have a cylindrical or slightly tapered shape towards the opening 13 of the body and a piston 29 defines the sealed and movable wall P4. This is considered more aesthetic than a flexible pocket or container 4 similar to a sealed and movable wall P4 which shrinks due to the flexibility of the material used.
• the option with a piston 29 can be used with any category of covering / protection, provided that the body 2 does not have a narrowing or narrowing of the section limiting the passage section to dimensions smaller than that of the wall 4b.
• the piston 29 has for example a circular section which makes it possible to ensure a good seal. It will then be understood that the section of the rigid guide wall 4b is circular. Under the piston 29, one can optionally provide an attached bottom piece 4f (integral with the side wall 4b) and use at least one orifice 4d to maintain at a sufficient level the pressure exerted against a lower face 29a of the piston 29 opposite to the filling opening O in product 5.
• the piston 29 ensures on the one hand a sealed separation and on the other hand maintains an identical pressure between the fluid product 5 contained in the tank and the air of the peripheral volume VP.
• the piston 29 may have a profile corresponding to the lower surface 6a of the head 6 which extends inside the container 4, as clearly visible in FIG. 1.
• the piston 29 defines an internal cavity 29b, positioned centrally, to receive a projecting end of the conduit forming the inlet 7a when the piston 29 is raised due to the consumption of the product 5. This makes it possible to approach a total return of product 5 (for example about 95% or more of the mass of product restored), with typically a elimination or a strong reduction in the dead volume.
• the dynamic seal produced between the piston 29 and the side wall 4b can be produced with a low friction force of the piston 29, in particular when the product 5 has a high viscosity. Indeed, the force of the user pressing on the pusher member 1 1 must overcome the return spring R7, the viscosity of the cosmetic product and the friction of the piston 29.
• very high geometric precision is required of the side wall 4b of the container 4 (and of the piston 29) if it is desired to guarantee a given level of friction force of the piston while obtaining the seal, which forbidden to give any decoration function to the container 4 (because the decoration functions typically involve heating or mechanical deformations which alter the integrity of the wall 4b).
• a slightly conical geometry of the wall 4b, with a widening towards the lower end 4c can participate in facilitating the insertion of the piston 29 without damage and obtaining a satisfactory seal.
• the insertion of the piston 29 during assembly can advantageously be done from the bottom, on the side of the lower end 4c, which avoids having to make the piston 29 travel the entire height of the container 4 to reach its filling position, clearly visible in Figure 1.
• the piston slides in the container 4 over a short distance and it is not damaged by friction over almost the entire length of the container 4 This reduces the risk of damaging the piston 29 (good dynamic sealing during use of the device 1).
• the sealed and movable wall P4 is defined by a flexible wall or a flexible pocket which can retract and / or deform to reduce the interior volume of the container 4.
• the wall P4 extends preferably opposite the end 4a which is rigid and which can be identical to what is shown in FIG. 3.
• a pressure equalization orifice 2d can be provided when the body 2 has a background 2a.
• the body 2 may be made of an opaque material so as not to make visible the folded and / or contracted state of the pocket or flexible portion of the container 4 as and when consumption product 5.
• At least the part of the container 4 which forms the pocket is made of flexible and waterproof material (and offering a good level of neutrality compared to cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulas), for example polyethylene.
• the waterproof and mobile wall P4 in the form of a pocket which moves by contraction effect, can be advantageous in particular in the following two cases:
• the pocket is in this case defined by a laminated complex comprising an oxygen barrier material such as a layer of aluminum or EVOH in order to offer better protection than a receptacle 4 with piston (high protection due to the fact that the 'thus overcoming the natural permeability of the polyolefins used in thicknesses of the order of a millimeter and the fact that the risk of infiltration between the piston 29 and the fixed wall is eliminated).
• an oxygen barrier material such as a layer of aluminum or EVOH
• the upper end 4a - typically rigid - of the container 4 can define:
• a second annular contact zone 28 by axial support on a base part forming an internal rim RB of the ring 24 which makes the container 4 integral with the metering assembly 15.
• the first contact area 27 is, in this non-limiting example, obtained from the side of an inner annular portion of the upper end 4a of the container 4, while the second contact area 28 is defined from the side of an outer annular portion from the upper end 4a.
• the ring 24 is a retaining ring, forming an external peripheral part of the internal unit 25, and which can be associated with the plugging element S to allow locking of the assembly between the two sub-assemblies 15 and R shown in FIG. 2, namely the metering assembly 15 and the reservoir portion R.
• the closure element S can be associated with one or the other of these two sub-assemblies.
• the container 4 is first filled and capped, by fixing the plugging element S with a step of insertion of an IP insertion portion of the element S in the upper cylindrical end 4a .
• the metering assembly 15 can then be threaded or fitted into the duct L, so as to simultaneously:
• the plugging element S is already covered by the outer skirt J of the metering assembly 15 before sealing off the opening O.
• the container 4 the wall P4 of which is movable or flexible and retractable, is inserted through the opening 300 of the ring 24 from above, being supported axially on the internal rim RB.
• the container 4 is mounted with the rigid upper end 4a inserted from below the ring 24, for example by using a bayonet type connection in the internal surface S24 of the ring 24, which opposes the depression of the container 4 during assembly of the dispensing head 6 on the tank part R.
• the filling opening O is closed by a sealing fastening method compatible with the rigidity of the container 4.
• the sealing fastening mode between the container 4 and the plugging element S can be made robust:
• the first contact area 27 can be defined otherwise in variants, for example by an annular contact located on the external side of the upper end 4a, closer to the opening 13 than the second contact area 28. More generally, the first contact zone 27 can be chosen from the interior surface, the exterior surface, the upper surface, one of the two angles, or a combination of these surfaces of the upper end 4a.
• the annular surface forming the sealing zone can advantageously be formed on an internal face 104 flared from the upper end 4a and can have a sloping portion which extends radially inwards and towards the bottom 2a, from an upper radial portion.
• the insertable closure part 105 belonging to the plugging element S is in sealing annular radial contact with the internal face 104 of the upper end 4a, so that the upper end 4a and the plugging element S are connected by sealingly fitting.
• the first annular contact zone 27 is here defined on the side of a flange 106 of the plugging element S which is axially distal from the bottom 2a. In the example of FIG. 1, it can be seen that the flange 106 covers the internal face 104.
• the nesting mode between the end piece 6 and the upper end 4a can be as follows:
• the male conical bearing surface of the plugging element S is of a slightly larger diameter than that of the female bearing surface defined by the internal face 104;
• a very good seal is generated.
• a rigid material capable of conforming to the rigid material to closely match its shape.
• the container 4 which is rigid, made for example of polypropylene, copolyster or polyamide
• the sealing element S which is flexible, made for example of low density or medium density polyethylene.
• the materials can be inverted (the container 4 can be at least locally more flexible than the plugging element S).
• the sealing element S and the container 4, facing each other are advantageously of cylindrical symmetry.
• no deformation of circularity at the level of the connection disturbs the uniformity of support of the two conical bearing surfaces one on the other.
• the axial annular contact at the level of the axial bearing edge 38 does not in itself provide sealing but serves to maintain a good level of radial compression at the level of the conical surfaces.
• the insertable shutter part 105 comprises an insertion portion IP of substantially cylindrical section, between the flange 106 and a radial portion RP which is axially closer to the bottom 2a.
• the insertion portion IP of cylindrical section is inserted through the upper end 4a of the container 4 (and typically through the opening 300 of the ring 24).
• the insertion portion IP is coaxial, around the longitudinal axis A of the pump 7, with the conduit L formed centrally in the plugging element S to accommodate and seal around the metering pump 7.
• a radial sealing contact is provided between an annular lip 23 of the plugging element S and a range defined at the inlet 7a of the pump 7.
• the annular lip 23 comes for example to conform by conical contact (for example the same principle as for the conical bearing at the upper end 4a) with the end of the pump 7 which defines the inlet 7a.
• annular bead (not shown) is formed inside the duct L of the plugging element S, near its axial upper end. This bead engages on the body of the pump 7 near its flange 21, therefore at its most axially rigid location.
• the plugging element S is protected on the side of its flange 106 by the holding part 26.
• the plugging element S and the holding part 26 belong to a stationary part of the metering assembly 15 which preferably provides a sufficiently robust attachment to the container 4 to withstand a drop test (corresponding to a fall of 1.5 m on a hard surface as in the test specified in document ASTM D6344-04 ( 2009)), without breaking any of the parts of the internal unit 25 and without compromising the operation of the metering pump 7 or causing a seal break.
• the holding part 26 is both capable of axially retaining the pump 7, for example by cooperating with the flange 21 of the pump 7, and can delimit by the lower part 26b an annular groove 26g which houses the peripheral part of the plugging element S including the collar 106 as well as the upper end 4a.
• the holding part 26 has an inner skirt 26a which delimits, with the outer skirt J formed in the lower part 26b, the annular groove 26g.
• a surface of the plugging element S which serves to define an annular contact zone 27 against an internal face of the container 4, at the level of the upper end 4a, can extend inside this annular groove 26g .
• the internal face 104 of the upper end 4a also extends into the groove 26g, so that a protected sealed connection is obtained, formed between the upper end 4a of the container 4 and the portion d IP insertion extended by the collar 106.
• the inner skirt 26a extends from the radial portion 26f which defines the section transition, to an annular end placed lower than the annular contact area 27.
• the plugging element S delimits with the holding part 26 a narrow annular groove 50 (belonging to the head 6), in which the axial bearing edge 38 of the end upper 4a is inserted.
• the upper end 4a can be enclosed in this annular groove 50, for example with a contact formed by the lower part 26b.
• the upper end 4a of the container 4 can be inserted between the lower part 26b and the insertion portion IP of the plugging element S.
• FIGS. 1 and 6 it can be seen that the holding part 26 is engaged with the pump 7, the collar 7c on the internal reliefs 261, 262 which can be defined by two pairs of lugs.
• a flange 26c located on the part which surrounds the end 4a, here engages between two lugs of the same pair, with an axial locking.
• the external diameter D5 defined at the level of the collar can be greater than the diameter of the opening 300 and slightly greater than a dimension of spacing between lugs 240 of the ring 24 in order to be able to be housed and snapped into the ring 24 by elastic deformation.
• the retaining ring 24 easily makes it possible to connect the reservoir portion R and the head 6 forming the metering end piece.
• the ring 24 is mounted from below, as visible in FIG. 2, and is positioned, externally, at the same level as the container sealing zone 4 - closure element S.
• the ring 24 alone ensures the axial stop function for the container 4, for example by an internal rim RB or appropriate internal reliefs.
• the wall 4b has a collar, bead 400 or at least one relief (typically a projecting circumferential relief) to stop the sliding (descending or ascending) of the ring 24 along the container 4.
• FIG. 7 A bevelled upper face may also be provided for the retaining relief or reliefs 262 (FIG. 7) which prevent the pump 7 from being withdrawn from the retaining part 26. Due to the support of the container 4 (here by the collar / bead 400) on the internal rim RB of the ring 24 and the axial retention of the retaining part 26 by the reliefs 240, the container 4 cannot be accidentally disassemble the head 6.
• Figures 1 and 2 show a continuous collar 26c, it is understood that such a collar can also be split and decompose into discontinuous segments.
• a container 4 with circular section is advantageous for obtaining satisfactory performances of dynamic sealing at the level of a piston 29 and static sealing at the interface between the lower part with reservoir R and the head 6 (upper part of distribution).
• the container 4 can be centered with respect to the side wall 2b of the body 2, for example by size and shape correspondence between the container 4 and a neck 20c formed at the upper end of the body 2, possibly by choosing the almost identical external diameter D4 of the container 4 (for example identical or very slightly smaller) than the diameter D 'of the opening 13, defined here at the level of the upper edge 2c above of the neck 20c.
• the retaining ring 24 can come to rest axially against the upper face of the edge 2c.
• any radially projecting annular relief or any arrangement with radial projections, formed on a periphery of the internal unit 25, may be suitable for forming a contact edge or rim against the upper end of the body 2, in order to stop the sliding stroke of a lower part with reservoir R of the internal unit 25, during assembly of the container 4 in the body 2.
• the ring 24 is held entirely outside the body 2, extending entirely above a plane of the opening 13.
• the retaining ring 24 can s 'partially insert into opening 13.
• the retaining ring 24, of annular shape extends around an opening 300 which can form a passage orifice for the container 4.
• the container 4 can thus be kept at a distance from a bottom 2a of the body 2 or at a predetermined relative distance from an annular lower edge of the body 2.
• the annular bead 400 can be replaced by an additional piece attached to the top of the container 4 or in the upper lateral zone thereof.
• an operation of clipping the ring 24 can possibly be provided, directly or indirectly on the container 4.
• the configuration of the parts is provided so that the container 4 is prevented from sinking into the body 2 during the positioning of the closure element S (for example during an insertion in force of the head 6, after filling). This is allowed here by the lower surface of the outer bead 400 or similar projecting relief of the container 4 and the corresponding surface of the ring 24. It is understood that the ring 24 can provide moderate retention of the elements of the reservoir part R as shown at the bottom of FIG. 2 (with the container 4 kept integral with the body 2 during the intermediate handling and transport operations, which is a temporary situation), while in the situation after the final assembly by insertion of the head 6, the parts are inseparable to form a non-removable internal unit.
• the container 4 Before the closure of the opening O, the container 4 can be suspended by means of the ring 24, without axial support of the lower end 4c on the bottom 2a of the body. This allows a great freedom of realization of the shape of the bottom 2a of the body 2.
• the container 4 is for example inserted from above and comes to bear axially on the annular internal rim RB formed in the surface inner S24 of ring 24.
• the ring 24 performs its holding function by axially blocking the grip edges 400, 26c of the reservoir part R and of the head 6.
• These grip edges 400, 26c are here formed respectively by the container 4 and the retaining part 26, as clearly visible in FIG. 1.
• these grip edges 400, 26c engage in a housing for the retaining ring 24, formed by an internal digging or between two reliefs 240 axially spaced therebetween from the retaining ring 24.
• a housing can be located in an intermediate axial position, and at a distance, respectively between a lower edge 24a of the external face F24 of the ring, preferably cylindrical, and at least one upper edge 24b of this external face F24.
• FIG. 3 a complete internal unit 25 of the kind illustrated in FIG. 3.
• This internal unit 25 is of the non-removable type, Referring to Figures 1, 6, 8A, 8B and 10-1 1 A, it is understood that the device has an external lateral wall SW, here constituted by a tubular external part 107 of the upper connector 17 and by the external lateral face of the body 2.
• This external lateral wall SW extends, around the longitudinal axis (X), from the lower end of the body 2 to an annular upper edge 17b, 11b of the tubular external part 107.
• the retaining ring 24 is covered by the external lateral wall SW in an assembled state of the device 1.
• the external lateral wall SW is heterogeneous, with for example a first rigid material constituting the body 2, for example in the form of 'a glass bottle, and a second rigid or semi-rigid material constituting the tubular external part 107.
• the outer parts 1b and 1c of the device 1 has a continuity of geometry, and of section (substantially identical dimensions) in the area surrounding the dispensing head 6.
• the cap 16 typically forms a complementary part 1 a which also extends these external parts 1 b and 1 c, with a continuity of geometry and section.
• the upper connector 17, 1 17 is provided with one or more members for fixing a cap 16, preferably with such members placed in a tubular part constituting an upper sleeve 18, 1 18. With the cap 16 closed, this sleeve 18, 1 18 is not visible because it is narrower than the tubular external part 107 delimiting the part 1 b, and housed in an internal volume of the cap 16.
• Embodiments of an upper connector 17, 117 will now be presented, in connection with FIGS. 1, 8A and 8B, as well as FIGS. 13 and 14.
• the connector 17, 1 17 has, from base to top:
• the narrower passage duct which can be in the form of an upper sleeve 18, 1 18 without the slightest attachment with the dispensing head 6.
• the connector 1 17 also has an upper section 1 16 coaxial around the sleeve 1 18 and which extends upward the tubular external part 107.
• the part radial 20, 1 17a extends radially outwards beyond the radial portion 26f to delimit, under this radial portion 20, 11 17a, a cylindrical housing wider than the diameter D5, which allows the ring to be placed 24 radially between the lower part 26b of the holding part 26 and connector 17, 1 17.
• the radial part 20, 11 17a extends radially outwards from the sleeve 18, 1 18 up to a tubular external part 107 including first fixing means FM1 serving to retain and block the body 2 both axially and in a direction of rotation, by cooperating with second fixing means FM2 provided on the body 2, typically in a part covered by a skirt 19 of the connector 17, 1 17.
• the upper connector 17 or 1 17 may comprise or consist of a part P17 which includes the fixing means FM1 to allow the removable fixing of the body 2, by a relative rotational movement between the connector 17, 1 17 and the body 2.
• the part P17 called in the following main part, has the skirt 19 where the fixing means FM1 are formed.
• the skirt 19, of generally annular shape extending to a lower annular edge from the radial part 20 (visible in FIG. 1), has one or more flexible parts SP, here two flexible parts in the nonlimiting case of the figures 8A-8B.
• These flexible parts SP can be made flexible by a thinning of the skirt J19 and / or by a delimitation between two slots 81, 82, respectively 83, 84. This makes it possible to obtain a radial clearance, in particular towards the outside, of these flexible parts SP, during mounting on attachment zones of the body 2 which is more rigid than the main part P17, and much more rigid than the flexible parts SP.
• Each flexible part SP constitutes a tongue, delimited between two vertical slots 81, 82 or 83, 84 and attached to the rest of the part P17 by a junction zone representing less than 90 ° on the circumference of the skirt 19.
• the main part P17 is typically made of elastically deformable plastic.
• a piece forming a hoop 70 may cover the skirt 19 by fixing to the piece P17 so as to be integral in rotation, around the longitudinal axis X, with this piece P17.
• the part 70 may include an opening for the passage of the upper sleeve 18 formed by the part P17 and a radial portion 70a bordering this axial opening and extending up to a circular line of junction with a part tubular outer 107 which laterally covers the skirt 19.
• the part 70 is optionally metallic, provided with a metallic or glass outer coating. It can be made of aluminum by way of nonlimiting example.
• the diameter D70 of the axial opening is for example slightly greater than the external diameter of the upper sleeve 18.
• one or more notches or notches E70 can be provided which widen locally the axial opening and which make it possible to insert one or more axial projections R20 formed on the radial part 20 of the part P17.
• the axial projections R20 prevent the rotation of the hoop part 70 (auxiliary part without contact with the unit 25) compared to main room P17.
• An identification function for example in the form of an arrow indicating the direction of disassembly of the connector 17, can be optionally obtained by cutting the notches E70 and / or the shape visible from above the axial projections R20.
• the upper connector 17 or 1 17 surrounds the stationary part of the metering assembly 15 and also surrounds the pusher member 1 1, forming a conduit, called in the following upper sleeve 18, 1 18, where this member can slide pusher 1 1.
• the pusher member 1 1 can cover the upper portion / sleeve 18, 1 18 of the upper connector 17, 1 17, at least when it is actuated to dispense the product 5.
• it can be advantageous that it is the pusher member 1 1 which slides inside the upper connector 17, 1 17 as in the case of FIG. 1 or of FIG. 1 17, for example with a configuration rendering the pusher member 1 1 cannot be dismantled (possibly by means of an annular bead, ribs or retention pins of the pusher member 1 1).
• This latter configuration is advantageous when it is desired to be able to guarantee the non-breaking of the circuit of the product 5.
• the internal surface 18c of the sleeve 18, 1 18 allows the upper connector 17 to be positioned around the upper end part 26d, and more generally around the metering assembly 15, before the engagement of the upper connector 17 on the body 2.
• the upper connector 17, 1 17 may not tighten the receiver assembly 26, S or the ring 24, so that a rotational force on the upper connector 17, 1 17 (relative rotation around the longitudinal axis X with respect to the reservoir part 1 b) will not be taken up by these internal parts.
• the upper connector 17, 1 17 is for example positioned on the metering assembly 15, from above, exerting a simple axial movement, without centering function. Indeed, the alignment between the container 4 and the head 6 can be achieved in the contact zone between the flared internal face 104 of the container 4 (typically forming a conical sealing surface) and the sealing element S.
• La configuration of the nozzle / head 6, with in particular the retaining part 26 which covers the plugging element S, makes it possible to free this contact zone from any parasitic stress likely to affect the uniform distribution of the radial compression of the closure element S on the conical surface of the container 4 or other similar compression required to seal the opening O.
• the upper connector 17, 1 17 can then be turned relative to the dispensing head 6, which makes it possible to position, if necessary by rotation, fixing means FM1 of this connector 17, 1 17 facing access zones ZA (FIG. 4) having an angular delimitation (typically less than or equal to 90 ° or 100 °) and allowing an annular lower end 100 of the connector 17, 1 17 to be placed below a book 200 of the body, as will be described later. Placement under the carnet 200 of the annular lower end 100 can be carried out at the same time as the engagement in support / axial contact of the radial part 20, 11a on the radial portion 26f of the holding part 26.
• the upper connector 17, tubular with a cross-sectional transition permitted by the radial part 20, has a peripheral portion which extends longitudinally annularly from the outer edge 20a of the radial part 20, forming a skirt 19 with flexible part (s).
• a flexibility allowing a radial clearance of the skirt 19 of the connector 17, 1 17 may be advantageous to allow a coupling in rotation with locking, on a zone for fixing a rigid body 2.
• the external lateral wall SW is not obtained in rotation coupling between an external upper part of the body 2 and an internal lower part of the upper connector 17, 1 17, typically provided in the skirt 19 (preferably by selective use of the flexible parts SP to overcome rigid reliefs provided for projection, relative to a bottom surface FC, on the external face of the body 2).
• connection means FM1 complementary to the means FM2, are provided in the upper connector 17, 1 17, here on the side of an internal lateral face.
• a body 2 produced in one piece to define both the external part 1c of the external lateral wall SW and the fixing zone including the receiving means FM2 for the bayonet type connection. Vial forming this body is preferably made of glass.
• the bottle (or body 2) is of revolution about a longitudinal axis Y which is typically coincident with the longitudinal axis X of the container 4 in the assembled state of the device 1.
• the bottle has for example a booklet 200 or portion of similar rim formed in a neck 20c which includes the upper annular edge 2c of the body 2.
• the neck 20c can advantageously be of small axial extension L20.
• a relatively small axial extension makes it possible to reduce the overlap area between the body and the upper connector 17 or 1 17, and thus minimize the plastic material required in the design of the upper connector 17, 1 17, in particular by reducing the length of the skirt 19 (see FIG. 8A) and if necessary reducing the extension of the part forming a hoop 70 (see FIG. 9).
• the neck 20c has a total height or axial extension L20, measured from the shoulder E2, less than or equal to 15 mm.
• the second fixing means FM2 extend over this neck 20c with in particular retaining reliefs provided on a portion of the lateral surface of the neck 20c, in position adjacent to the shoulder E2 of the bottle.
• the shoulder E2 extends transversely from the neck to reach the top of the external part 1c (upper end of the wall 2b).
• the bag 200 is discontinuous with notches forming axial passages or access zones ZA, distributed over the circumference, to allow the descent of the internal pins R1, R2 from the upper connector 17, 1 17 to at the shoulder E2 (initial low axial position of the internal pins R1, R2). From such a low axial position of the connector, it remains to rotate the upper connector 17, 1 17 (here in the clockwise direction, without this being limiting) relative to the body 2 or vice versa the body 2 in the opposite direction of rotation, relative to the upper connector 17, 1 17.
• the rotation is preferably of the type substantially representing a quarter of a turn (to within +/- 10 °).
• the booklet portions, separated by the access zones, can be two in number, representing an angular sector of between 80 and 105 °, for example of the order of 95 ° (the access zone ZA can then represent an angular sector between 75 and 100 °, for example around 85 ° in the nonlimiting example of FIGS. 4 to 6).
• the bottle or body 2 can be designed with reliefs and a delimitation of lateral cavities 201, 202, in order to obtain a pre-tightening then a locking at the end of the stroke, during the pivoting of the skirt 19.
• an inner assembly face on the inner side of the skirt 19 is connected to the annular edge 2c of the body 2 by engagement of the internal lugs R1, R2, under the radial projections or under the flap 200 of this annular edge 2c.
• the neck 20c includes at least one lateral cavity 201, 202 for receiving an internal lug R1, R2 corresponding which forms part of the second fixing means FM2.
• the cavity 201 visible in FIG. 6 is delimited axially between a portion 200a, 200b of the carnet 200 and the shoulder E2, and extends circumferentially between a termination zone ZT and an access duct CA with narrowing of section as you approach the relief reliefs.
• the termination zone ZT can be elongated and / or includes a stop surface B1, B2 having a radially outer edge BR, such a stop surface B1, B2 being formed in a projecting projection 203, 204.
• each lateral cavity 201, 202 can function as a guide in which the tangential sliding is harder and harder, until it stops with the engagement of a so-called front end 19f (leading or proximal end) of an internal lug R1, R2 against the abutment surface B1, B2.
• two diametrically opposite internal pins R1, R2 thus cooperate with two stop surfaces B1, B2 diametrically opposite from the body 2, for a position for covering the neck 20c by the skirt 19.
• Protruding reliefs can be used in the termination zone ZT, in order to push radially outwards at least the front end 19f of the internal lugs.
• the flexible part or parts SP of the skirt 19 deviate radially outwards because each of the internal lugs R1, R2 then covers an area of termination where the projection 203, 204 extends.
• each flexible part SP folds slightly inwards, radially, at the end of the race, since each projection 203, 204 enters an intermediate excavation 19c present in the internal pin R1, R2.
• the lateral cavity 201 between the access conduit CA with narrowing of section (here axial narrowing) and an end of travel region optionally delimited by a last relief DR, the presence of a notch C1 then a projection 203 delimiting, a stop surface oriented towards the notch C1.
• the same configuration is typically used in the other lateral cavity 202, with a notch C2 which precedes a projection 204 similar to the projection 203 (cf. FIG. 5).
• Each notch C1, C2 here has a height, measured from the bottom surface FC, which is less than a depth of the lateral cavity, measured between the radially outer edge BR of the abutment surface B1, B2 and the bottom surface FC .
• the notch C1, C2 corresponds to a progressive bulge or bulge formed on the bottom surface FC, while the abutment surface B1, B2 may have an angle of the order of 90 ° relative to the bottom surface HR, as shown in Figure 5.
• the locked configuration can be obtained when each internal lug R1, R2, of elongated shape in a circumferential direction, is placed in a corresponding lateral cavity 201, 202, extending on either side of a surface stop B1, B2 of the lateral cavity 201, 202, preferably by being inserted into the lateral cavity 201, 202 beyond a notch C1, C2 of said lateral cavity.
• the upper connector 17, 1 17 can thus be fixedly secured to the body 2 in the locked state of the bayonet-type connection.
• the upper connector 17 thus remains integral with the body 2 during the use of the device 1. This allows this upper connector 17 to be used as a support for a cap 16.
• the skirt 19 of the upper connector 17, typically covered by the hoop part 70 which is integral in rotation with the skirt 19, can extend the axially external face of the body 2 with an identical format and length perimeter (with surface continuity).
• the upper connector 17, which extends under the actuating portion 10, can also correspond to a hoop in an intermediate position between the body 2 and the cap 16.
• the upper connector 17 a in this nonlimiting example, a covering function for the upper part of the device 1 in combination with the cap 16.
• Figure 1 1 A shows the decoupling operation, by a relative rotational movement illustrated by the arrow F to rotate the upper connector 17 and allow the internal pins 1 1, 12, typically provided in flexible parts SP, to overcome the reliefs B1, B2, C1, C2 in the opposite direction to the locking stroke.
• a quarter-turn movement for example, one can disengage the skirt 19 from the connector 17 from the neck 20c, then move the connector 17 axially to remove it when the internal pins R1, R2 are no longer placed under the portions 200a, 200b of the carnet 200.
• the projections R20 of the connector 17 and / or similar reliefs rotation can optionally indicate the direction of rotation of the connector 17 allowing disassembly. Any other marking can be optionally used.
• the connector 17 functionally forms a primary cover, the optional cap 16 constituting a secondary cover which is detachably mounted on the primary cover.
• the internal unit 25 can then be removed by simple axial extraction, out of the body 2.
• a cap 16 When a cap 16 is provided, this can remain mounted on the upper connector 17 or be removed (which can allow a better grip in hand of the tubular part 107 to rotate).
• the retaining ring 24 has here a cylindrical external face F24, the external surface of which is preferably smooth, so that any retention effect by the body 2 is eliminated.
• the ring 24 can be placed entirely above the body 2, so that the gripping of the internal unit 25 (by gripping the ring 24) can be facilitated.
• the body can be removed to uncover the reservoir part PR before removing the connector 17, knowing that the body 2 and the connector 17 can be separated by displacement in opposite directions for an unlocked configuration of the upper connector 17.
• the device 1 including its internal unit 25 and, at the same time, internal units 25 ′ forming compatible cartridges or refills to be inserted internally between the body 2 and the upper connector 17 , 1 17.
• the tightness of all the internal units is obtained in an identical manner, so that the internal units 25, 25 'can be kept for a long time without damaging the product 5 (fluid or viscous content).
• an alternative embodiment is described with a body 2 identical or analogous to that of the preceding figures, on which is fixed, in a removable manner, an upper connector 1 17 whose tubular external part 107 serving to form the upper portion of the external lateral wall SW is broken down into: - A lower section which joins the radial part 1 17a of the upper connector 1 17, surrounding the ring 24 and extends downward to a contact zone with or adjacent to the shoulder E2 of the body 2; and
• the upper connector 1 17 also has an upper sleeve 1 18 similar to the sleeve 18 of the connector 17 of the embodiments shown in particular in Figures 8A-8B.
• Such an upper connector 1 17 has many similarities with the upper connector 17 provided in the embodiment of the previous figures and differs essentially in that the upper section 1 16 extends upwards the external face to an end forming the edge 1 17b which surrounds the actuating portion 10, so that a cap 16 is not necessary.
• the actuating portion 10 is also withdrawn.
• the actuating portion 10 can be retained from above by one or more protruding interior portions or flange provided on the side of the upper edge 1 17b and mounted on the movable part of the pump 7 without relief relief, which allows the internal unit 25 to be separated from the connector 1 assembly 17— actuating portion 10.
• the actuating portion 10 of the rod 1 1 a without significant effort.
• the ring 24 provided in the device with the upper connector 1 17 of Figures 13 and 14 may be identical or very similar to that of the previous figures.
• the head 6 here has a pusher member 1 1 1 can be mounted internally in an upper compartment defined by the upper tubular section 1 16.
• the transverse wall forming the radial portion 1 17a separates this compartment upper and a lower compartment in which is housed the top of the reservoir portion R.
• the upper compartment opens axially and a transverse surface, here flat, of the pusher member 1 1 is clearly visible by being flush or being slightly recessed relative to the level of the end 1 17b, in the non-actuated position.
• the actuation of the pusher member 1 1 1 can be facilitated by a notch 1 17c formed at the upper end 1 17b of the upper connector 1 17 ( Figure 14). This is ergonomic, by making it possible to increase the contact area between a user's finger and the push-button member 1 1 1.
• a slot 130 here opposite to the notch 1 17c, can allow the output of the diffusion member 14 to project radially outward beyond the outer face defined by the upper section 1 16, or d '' flush with this face.
• FIG. 14 shows a slot 130 which opens at its upper end, such a slot 130 can also be placed differently, without opening.
• the slot 130 is here vertical and allows the sliding to be guided without the possibility of significant rotation of the pusher member 1 1 1.
• the body 2, the upper connector 1 17 and optionally the push member 1 1 1 can be reused with a new internal unit, after disassembly / assembly operations (the principle illustrated in the diagram of Figures 1 1 A- 1 1 B remaining applicable).
• the filling opening O has a diameter D2 which can be substantially identical to the internal diameter D1 of the container 4 on the side of its lower end 4c, optionally less than D1, and preferably at least equal to 90%, or even 98% or 100% of D1.
• the use of a container 4 without neck makes it possible not to slow down the filling operation.
• the diameter of the filling opening O is typically greater than 15 mm and generally exceeds half of the diameter D or characteristic representative of the external periphery of the body 2 at least near the shoulder E2. More generally, the filling opening O can have a diameter at least equal to 75% of the diameter of the opening 300 of the ring 24.
• the body 2 is made in one piece.
• the side wall 2b of the tubular body 2 can have a constant cross section as in the case of FIG. 12 or include at least one bulge 60 in an intermediate part as in the case of FIG. 10.
• the shape of the section can also vary (for example with an oval section only at the level of a bulge).
• the body 2 can have any type of geometry with a circumference suitable for gripping and which exceeds the maximum circumference of the container 4, so as to avoid any contact radial between the container 4 and the side wall 2b, except for the area located above the shoulder E2 of the body 2. It is also understood that the ring 24 is located above the upper opening 13 of the body 2 without interfering with filling opening O.
• the device 1 can be compact and is well suited for dispensing the same precise doses of liquid or viscous product.
• the device 1 is typically in the form of a dosing head / dosing tip vial and designed particularly for cosmetic and other applications requiring a high degree of personalization of the external lateral wall SW.
• the device 1 accommodates particularly well with a metering pump 7 of the “airless” type which reduces the risk of contamination while allowing almost total evacuation of the product 5. Between the distribution channel 8 of the pump 7 and the interior of the container 4, there is no venting possible, the ring 24 guaranteeing in this respect the maintenance of a seal. It is also understood that the device 1 has a very limited number of moving or flexible parts, so that it is particularly robust and remains effective after a large number of uses. The integrity around the container 4 and the pump 7 is maintained despite possible shocks, which guarantees sealing.
• the container 4 and the dispensing head 6 can form an integral sub-assembly, in the form of a pre-assembled unit, which can be installed (in one piece) between a body 2 with protective and covering function and an upper connector, typically a rigid body 2 and connector provided with one or more flexible parts incorporating reliefs or pins for rotationally coupling on the upper fixing zone of the body.
• the user can therefore easily remove the internal unit, as shown in FIG. 1 1 A from the sub-assembly forming the external side wall SW, in order to reload the device 1 (replace the empty cartridge constituted by the internal unit 25 by a full cartridge).
• the figures show a container 4 made in two parts to facilitate the insertion of a piston 29, it is also possible to insert into the body 2 a container with a movable bottom.
• the retaining part 26 can be replaced by an equivalent assembly of at least two parts having both an axial thrust effect on the plugging element S and retaining the metering pump 7.
• the the internal unit 25 can have another type of metering assembly 15, possibly with air inlet, for example in options with filtration of the incoming air which can circulate (in the form of filtered air if necessary) to the inside of the tank.
• the internal unit 25 may possibly have a linear guide relief along the body, for example on the ring 24, and / or any means of indexing in rotation, for example a pin or orifice for a pin, can be provided in a part of the body 2 in contact with the container 4 or the ring 24.

Landscapes

• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
• Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
• Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=67107510

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (6)

Family Cites Families (11)

• 2018
  • 2018-12-05 FR FR1872394A patent/FR3089431B1/fr active Active
• 2019
  • 2019-11-26 EP EP19868178.5A patent/EP3890893B1/de active Active
  • 2019-11-26 US US17/311,189 patent/US11471903B2/en active Active
  • 2019-11-26 CN CN201980088123.6A patent/CN113272072B/zh active Active
  • 2019-11-26 WO PCT/FR2019/052805 patent/WO2020115399A1/fr unknown
  • 2019-11-26 BR BR112021010876-9A patent/BR112021010876A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation

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